Subbu (purefriendship) has been ‘fishing’ for Sulekhites in the small sleepy town of Palghat, Kerala, one hour’s drive from Coimbatore. He knows there is one, and decided to catch him (kvakutty). Though he has been “threatening” to come over for some time, he finally made it only yesterday, Sunday, 25/2/2008. We thus met for the first time.

If any one says he knows subbu I won’t believe unless that person has met subbu in person. For the real subbu creates a far deeper impression on one’s mind than the virtual one.

If his qualities are to be summarised in one word , it is “sincerity”. His love for sulekhites (and others) is genuine. From moment one, he makes you feel he is another family member of yours.

This time he was aiming at two birds in one shot. He tried to contact  through mobile , the second bird, poetbittersweet (who is on a short visit to Trichur from Madras) . But his mobile was on a ‘holiday’. Then SMS and other known methods and tricks were tried.  At last response came from the “elusive bird”. For a moment ‘network’ forgot whom it was dealing with. Subbu was no man to give up so easily.

The taxi had been ordered and it is waiting for an hour now. Occasional honking reminded us of that fact.

Then we three (Subbu, my wife and myself) went to Trichur, one hour drive from Palakkad.

Poetbittersweet was our target. We were meeting him for the first time. From the sulekha name, I imagined he must be a pompous elderly man with long beard, grown long and grey commensurate with wisdom, with a grave philosophical countenance, holding a cigar in the left hand and a glass full of brown liquid in the other.

 What was our surprise when we met in stead, a handsome young man, who could be easily mistaken for a film star and who could be the object of desire of any eligible girl.

Forget it, girls. It is too late.Whatever his other merits, I am told, he is a married man!!

Next in agenda was venue of meeting. Being Sunday known hotels were not open. We ended up in an ice cream parlour, for a royal repast. Yes it was royal.

Subbu made us talk to many sulekhites on his two mobiles. Those to whom we spoke sounded genuinely happy and asked us when we can meet in person and where. Such is the subbu-sulekha magic. I am not mentioning the names for fear that I might omit some names unintentionally in the process. I refer you to poetbittersweet’s blog and subbu’s comment thereon for this.

Subbu has met in person more than 700 sulekhites so far. In that list he gave me and Poetbittersweet our serial numbers. I don’t think even a CA with accounting skills will match that record. For, that calls for sincerity, doggedness, tirelessness and a genuine interest in others.

We take this opportunity to extend to all sulekhites our greetings and good wishes.

I believe they must be having similar local meetings of sulekhites, as part of activities.

 May sulekha grow from strength to strength !!